----...PACIFIC PETROLEUM GEOLOGIST NEWSLETTER Pacific Section American Association of Petroleum Geologists January & February 2001 No.1 A relatively new resource to us is the Geotechnical Training Center (GTTC) at California State University at Bakersfield (CSUB). The GTTC was largely funded by the have a stack ofunread journals piling up in a basket in AAPG Foundation. One function ofthe Center is to provide a comer ofmy office. They call to me, and I promise to training for consultants and displaced geologists in the newer I read them. Sometimes I look forward to weekends, technologies. Feel free to contact the Center director, Dr. holidays, or even vacation days so I will have time to "catch Jan Gillespie (661-664-3040), or any GTTC Advisory up." Other demands typically creep into my "free time," Council member for information. The Advisory Council and usually the weekend or free evening passes with my members are: Bob Countryman, Ken Hersh, Phil Ryall, beckoning journals continuing to collect dust. I suspect that Richard Pulle, Terry Thompson, Tom Skinner, Mike most people reading this somewhat relate to the phenomenon McCray, Steve Sanford, Roy Burlingame, and myself. The and can hear their journals calling. Catching up (or keeping schedule ofupcoming classes is available elsewhere in this current) with our profession's technological and theoretical newsletter. advances is an often neglected part ofourjob. Itis a struggle At the very least, pick a day, grab a guidebook, and take we all face. Sometimes we are successful at this and your family or friends out to the field to look at rocks. You sometimes we feel we are falling behind. Too often there is might have fun. You might be reminded of why you kept a sense that training costs too much or is too much trouble. enrolling in geology classes in school. You might also be My experience is that good training does not cost, it pays reminded ofwhat your real priorities are in life. and is well worth the trouble. Finally, five years ago when I worked for Bechtel A strategy I found useful is the combination of Petroleum at the Elk Hills Naval Petroleum Reserve, who networking and taking classes. The best way to find out could have guessed that in December 2000 we would be what training is particularly worthwhile is to ask my peers. witnessing fifty-nine dollars per MCF for natural gas. Back Listen to what they have to say and listen to their experiences then I would have heard roars oflaughter at that prediction. about what they have attended. Get a sense ofwho you need Also, who would have predicted chronic shortages of to contact for advice and call (or e-mail) them. Often you electricity in the winter, and that it would take over a month can quickly find out what training is good and what may to figure out who won the presidential election! not meet your needs. You can learn which instructors or Hang on, participate, and do not get left behind. venues are fantastic and which are in need ofrefinement. A -Kay Pitts myriad of networking and training opportunities exist that President, Pacific Section AAPG include society meetings, short courses, field trips, and symposia; regional and national conventions; AAPG Distinguished Lecturer Series; and AAPG short courses and field trips. Go to your society meetings, see what is going on, share your experiences, and listen to what others are saying. Much ofwhat is available can be found on the Pacific Section AAPG website (www.psaapg.org) or through the links to our allied societies. If you do not see something that meets your needs or expectations, contact your local society and tell them or let me know what you would like to have offered. Don't be shy, for every one person that raises their hand there are ten or more that wish they did. NEED AN AREA MAPPED? How would you like to have this group of field geologists as part of your team? LEHI F. HINTZE PARKE D. SNAVELY, JR. PETER D. ROWLEY CLARENCE A. HALL, JR. JOHN (JACK) G. VEDDER F. BARTLETT (BART) EKREN THOMAS A. STEVEN These exceptional field geologists are all Dibblee Medal recipients, including Dr. ThomasA. Steven, who was awarded the Dibblee Medal by legendary field geologist Tom Dibblee in June of 2000. Do you know someone who should be added to this list for 2001? Nominations of candidates to be considered for the eighth award of the Dibblee Medal are now being solicited. Nomination should include the name of the candidate, biographical data, a description of the geologic mapping, and the names of atleast two geologists who support the nomination. Mail each nomination and supporting data by January 31, 200t to: MR. JOHN R. POWELL, PRESIDENT DIBBLEE GEOLOGICAL FOUNDATION POST OFFICE Box 2309 CAMARILLO, CALIFORNIA 93011 The Thomas Wilson Dibblee, Jr. Geological Foundation (Dibblee Geological Foundation) has established the Dibblee Medal in recognition of the unique contributions of Tom Dibblee to the science of geologic mapping. The award consists of an attractive sterling silver medalbearing the likeness of Tom Dibblee; and on the reverse side, a geologic sketch map of California, the geology of which has been Tom Dibblee's domain for more than 60 years. The Dibblee Foundation is a nonprofit corporation chartered in California in 1983 for the purpose of publishing Tom Dibblee's geologic mapping. To date, the Foundationhas published the geology by Tom Dibblee in over one hundred full T -minute quadrangles, with several hundred more awaiting publication. You can help our publication effort by sending a donation to the Dibblee Foundation. 2 Advanced Placement Geology J.M. "BUZZ" DELANO, ~. Cen (661) 747-0331 Proposal and Update ConsUltant War!< (661) 325·3987 Fax/Home (661) 832-5221:1 We are not teaching geology to the vast majority of our Work/Fax (661) 322-2941 high school students. Top science students around the country are enrolling in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, written by Delano Petrophysical Consulting',Services the College Board. Ifthey pass the AP, they will either receive college credit or advanced placement into upper-level science [email protected] DipmeterAnalysis courses in college. There is one problem. There is no AP course 5401 Business Park South Tape Conversion Editing in geology. Notonly do ourbrightest high school students miss Suite 214 Expert Petrophysical Analysis Bakersfield, California 93309 Wellst!e Supervisiol1 the opportunity to learn about geology, but, having no introduction to the earth sciences in high school, they are unlikely to enroll in earth science courses in college. Geoscience educators across the country agree that the WElL INFORMATION ANI) INS1'RUI\iIEN1"ATK)N institution ofanAP Geology course would be an effective way to increase the exposure ofour students to the earth sciences. UEPOCH In September of 2000, Steve Kluge of Fox Lane High School, Mike Smith ofAGI, Jeff Niemitz of NAGT, Diana 3919 ROSEDALE HIGHWAY Stordeur of GSA, and I met with Lee Jones of the College BAKERSFJELD., CAlIfORNIA 93308 661·328·159:5 Board to discuss the possibility ofa anAP Geology exam. We 661-6:55·1452 DIRECT brought a letter of support from twenty member societies of LES COlliNS 661·328·1623 FAX WEST COAST DIVISION /VIANAGER 661·838-7978 CmULAR AGI. Our proposal was for a physical geology course because CAIlI'ORNlA REGISTERED GEOlOOST #39:>7 fcoUms@nobor$ccom E,MAIL it is a course taught in most colleges and would therefore fit the criteria for an AP course. The College Board is interested and is preparing an on-line survey to determine the level of interest among high school teachers across the country. The surveywill bepostedatwww.collegeboard.org/ap from January 20 through late March. GEOLOGIST (PETROLEUM) - Position is in Ifyou are interested in teachingAP Geology, or you know the Oil and Gas!Special Properties Section someone who is, or ifyou just want to keep current with our of the Kern County Assessor's Office. This progress, please contact me or sign up for the AP Geology individual performs varied geologic work information site at www.bedford.kI2.ny.uslflhs/science/ primarily associated with the evaluation of oil apgeohome.html. Please forward this to other science educators who may be interested. and gas properties for property tax purposes; Thank-you. provides technical assistance to appraisal and Wendy Van Norden engineering staff with geologic problems Harvard-Westlake School involving oil and gas and other mineral 3700 Coldwater Canyon properties; assists with appraisal work; serves North Hollywood, CA 91604 as expert witness; does geological reservoir! 818-487-6665 formation analysis; and meets with oil industry [email protected] representatives. Candidate should have good computer, organizational, and communication skills. Position requires BS Degree in geology! THIS SPACE AVAILABLE FOR ADVERTISING geophysics and 5 to 15 years experience. This newsletter is distributed to approximately 800 Prior work in development geology in the San geologists and nearly 100 libraries and universities. Joaquin Valley and possession of California Placing an ad here is a good way to develop name license as Registered Geologist preferred. recognition and remind customers how to reach you. Submit resume to: Kern County Assessor's For advertising information, contact: Office, ATTN: Oil and Gas Section, 1115 Larry Knauer Truxtun Avenue, Bakersfield, CA 93301, or [email protected] FAX to (661) 868-3209. 661-392-2471 3 PACIFIC SECTION-AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PETROLEUM GEOLOGISTS & CORDILLERAN SECTION-GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2001 Joint Meeting "Forward to the Past" • Recent Advances in Research, Technology, Exploration, Production, and Teaching April 9-11, 2001 Sheraton Universal Hotel • Universal City North Hollywood, California Hosted by For more information, Department ofGeological contact Peter Weigand at Sciences, California State [email protected] University, Northridge, (818-677-2564) and San Joaquin or Jeff Shellebarger at Geological Society.